Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?
Artist:
Arctic Monkeys
Genre Characteristics:
Alternative/Indie rock, drug abuse, relationships issues, grunge, pubs, leather jackets, etc.
Relationship between lyrics and visuals:
The video focuses on the vocalist of the band, Alex Turner, who embarks on a night-out in which he gets wasted and decides to hook up with a girl he knows, "Now it's 3 in the morning and I'm trying to change your mind." He begins to hallucinate and imagines a number of different sexual situations are happening around him, illustrating his intentions. This is shown through the shakiness of the camera and blurring of shots (the sinking of the ground as he lays down). During the song, the pair communicate via mobile phone, "Left you multiple missed calls and to my message you replied: Why'd you only call me when you're high?", and so Alex is seen messaging 'Stephanie' throughout the video.
Relationship between music and visuals:
The relatively slow tempo of the song is mirrored by the slow pace of the editing.
Are there close-ups of the artist and star image motifs?
There are several close-ups of the band's vocalist throughout the video.
Is there reference to the notion of looking?
'Stephanie' is used in all of the sexual situations and once appears naked on the back of a motorcycle. Alex is shown trying to embark on a one night stand with her.
Are there intertextual references?
Not that I am aware of.
Is the video performance, narrative or concept based?
Narrative. The video shows the band in the 'Howl at the Moon' pub in East London, having a drink. Wasted, Alex (the vocalist) sends multiple text messages to a girl called Stephanie to get a booty call, without any answer. When he leaves the pub, he walks through the city and hallucinates. Eventually he gets to the wrong house, across the street from Stephanie's, and stands outside the door. The camera shows the girl at her home, picking up the phone and deciding to ignore his texts.
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